Health is a like a bank account
While we think of ageing as a negative thing, as far as our bodies go, many people have found increasing wellbeing in their last decades of life. It’s not that the body isn’t eventually going to die- of course, it will- but it is possible to adopt healthier habits and radically turn around health issues or promote better health. Whether by losing excess weight, a change of diet such as going plant-based, or taking up strength training….it is different for different people.
Because of my interests, I see a lot of it online- you know how social media gives you more of what you are interested in? I see people who lose massive amounts of weight because they found what works for them. I see people with serious health conditions, even considered terminal, turn it around with significant diet and lifestyle changes. It may be more common than you realise. For many, it takes one moment, a breaking point, a realisation, an “I’ve had enough” moment…and it becomes their passion to take their life back. To regain their vitality.
I have seen Dave, my husband, go through a huge transformation in the last year with weight loss. He has lots of energy; he gets up early, he is sprightly, and he can balance on one foot again. It hasn’t been an easy journey for him- weight has been a big issue in his adult life- but wow, it’s been amazing to watch. Nothing to do with me….he was motivated and found what worked for him.
Never give up. If you feel sluggish, tired, or have chronic health issues that hold you back….while for sure sometimes acceptance is needed, often there is something you can do about it. It's not a given to feel old in your 40s, 50s, 60s or even 70s. Many people have a lot of good health up to their 90s and beyond. I recommend watching Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones on Netflix.
Health is something like a bank account- you have to keep putting money in, more than you take it out. Putting it in, is doing the healthy things like eating well, having your minimum 2 fruit and 5 veg, drinking your 2 litres of water, getting some daily movement, and managing stress. It might be even more radical, a big lifestyle change, joining a gym, getting a personal trainer, going vegan, walking the Bibbulman track, or eating meat again if you weren’t a healthy vegan. But spending from your health account is doing things like drinking alcohol (at all, but especially frequently), eating too much meat or fatty foods, junk foods, take away or restaurant foods, putting everyone else first and not looking after yourself, not exercising or moving daily, smoking (anything), stressing about things you can’t control, taking recreational drugs….those are just off the top of my head.
Health is its own high. It doesn’t mean if we do everything right, it guarantees great health and a long life…but it sure skews the chances in our favour. It's not black and white, all or nothing. And the reward is in the daily habits, the journey, not just the end. Eating well is its own reward- there’s a point at which you don’t actually enjoy poor-quality food any more. Movement that is enjoyable is its own reward. Not having a hangover is its own reward.
I have a passion for healthy ageing, and helping people find what works for them. To clear away the annoying health issues, and develop lifelong better habits.
